The Princess Consort could feel the growing distance between herself and Fu Yi, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was that she couldn’t remain imprisoned here.

Seeing that Fu Yi showed no reaction to her pitiful state, she knew she had to be more direct.

“Yi’er, it’s fine if your father is angry with me, but you mustn’t be. Why did I go to beg Consort Xian, if not for your sake? I can see you like Bai Qingqing, but the Bai family has no intention of forming an alliance with us. I took that risk because I didn’t want you to be disappointed.”

“You know well that the daughter-in-law I had in mind was never Bai Qingqing. If it weren’t for you, why would I have gone to such lengths?”

“Your father blames me for being reckless, for ruining his relationship with the Bai family—how could you, too, refuse to speak on my behalf?”

What flashed through Fu Yi’s mind just then was what Bai Qingqing had said at Qingxin Pavilion. As for his mother’s words—he’d heard them so many times they might as well have formed calluses in his ears.

It was always for his good. Always for his sake. Whether he wanted it or not, whether he agreed or not—what she did was always right. And he was never allowed to be angry, or he would be deemed unfilial.

A strange smile suddenly tugged at Fu Yi’s lips, so fleeting it seemed like a trick of the eye.

The Princess Consort caught the shift in his expression and was secretly delighted. As expected, no matter what, he was still on her side—after all, she was his mother!

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“How could I not want to plead for Mother? But Father is truly enraged. What you did was reckless, and on the day of the Summer Festival no less—now all of Xuancheng knows. Father has his pride too, especially outside these walls.”

Fu Yi’s tone was mild, just like before. “It wasn’t only the matter with the Bai family. When you made Consort Xian believe Father was manipulated into sending Cousin Lu away, the whole thing turned into a farce—people are laughing at our household for making such a spectacle over a fostered girl.”

“That… that was because I didn’t explain things clearly. I never meant for Consort Xian to misunderstand. Once your father stops being angry with me, I’ll go to the palace and apologize myself.”

“It’s not just about Consort Xian. If Mother truly wants Father to forgive you, then perhaps it’s time to take concrete steps to show you understand your mistake.”

“You mean…”

“I was thinking, since Father’s anger has landed on Cousin Lu as well, why not use this opportunity to find her a suitable marriage? It would help settle the gossip in Xuancheng too.”

“No!” the Princess Consort cut in without a second’s hesitation. “This has nothing to do with her. She’s already heartbroken from leaving my side—how can she be married off to just anyone? Absolutely not!”

Fu Yi remained patient. “Who said to just anyone? I’d choose carefully, find someone decent and reliable, prepare a generous dowry, and see her married off with dignity. Wouldn’t that be a good outcome?”

“No! How could Qingyun’s marriage be handled so hastily? Besides, you can never truly know a person’s heart. Who knows what kind of man she’d end up with? I won’t allow it!”

Her voice left no room for negotiation. Fu Yi looked at her quietly. “Mother has always taught me that those who achieve great things must be willing to make sacrifices—that to grasp what one desires, one must be ready to let go of something. Now that Aunt Zhou holds the reins of the household, that principle suddenly doesn’t seem so important?”

The Princess Consort grew flustered. “This is different! How can you compare the two?”

“I’ve said it already—if you agree to this, I’ll speak to Father on your behalf. You always claim everything you do is for me. Then now, with Aunt Zhou’s position on the rise, won’t you agree for my sake? Or is Lu Qingyun more important to you than I am?”